WARREN Leybourne got his professional career off to a flying, knockout start in circumstances that may go down as the most bizarre seen in a British ring this year.
It was certainly a first for this writer after 50 years covering the game: a truly surreal moment.
At the Hangar, Wolverhampton, on Friday, opponent Josh Morris sat out referee Peter McCormack’s count in protest.
In a nutshell, he KOd himself after one minute 32 seconds of the third, then loudly remonstrated in the ring, yelling: “That’s a robbery!”
Furious Morris downed tools because Mr McCormack, a respected referee with an unblemished track record, began counting after he buckled – he will take great exception to the description – from an uppercut.
He gesticulated angrily, made his thoughts known in strong language, then took a knee.
And the Wednesbury southpaw was still burning with rage when I approached him in the dressing room.
“I won’t box again,” he seethed. “Why box to be cheated?
“I dipped after an uppercut, my gloves didn’t touch the canvas and they called that a knockdown. I was dominating the fight, look at his face.”
I can’t agree with his claims of domination. Morris (10st 8lbs) had boxed smartly, countered well and the scheduled four rounder was competitive.
But I believe Leybourne’s body shots were beginning to take their toll when the unexpected end came, he appeared poised to take over.
Morris will read those words and seethe.
I’ve watched the Black Country boxer, who scored an upset win last time out, on a number of occasions and can testify to his toughness. He gives fans value for money, he’s a very likeable individual.
And, hopefully, with the red mist lifted, Josh will realise the error of his ways: In the heat of the moment, he made the wrong decision.
The way to respond to the perceived injustice was to blaze back, not stage a demo.
His actions should not cloud a glorious first fight for Coventry’s Leybourne and the dreadlocked welterweight told me: “As a debut, it doesn’t get much better.
“Those punches were getting to him, I was just beginning to switch on.”
Good judges had told me 26-year-old Leybourne (10st 6lbs) was heavy handed.
He is, but there are also defensive flaws.
Loose and long limbed, he prowled and looked to detonate body shots from the start while Morris kept a tight guard and punished mistakes.
The first was nip and tuck, the second suggested a very entertaining scrap was brewing. Morris landed a crisp left, then right to the body before Leybourne detonated a spiteful shot to the ribs.
By the round’s end, Morris was pinned in a neutral corner as Leybourne unleashed an unanswered volley of body shots.
Leybourne pressed down on the pedal in the third, pinned Morris in a neutral corner – then the chaos unfolded.
“There were things I could’ve done better,” Leybourne, bright and articulate, said afterwards.
“My placement, staying in front of him too long, not coming back on the offensive soon enough. But I felt confident I’d put him away.”
He added: “I want to be active, I want another fight this year, definitely.”
For Leybourne, the journey has begun. Morris has signalled the end of his adventure: hopefully, he’ll reconsider.
